Motorcycling: Smalley racer Leon Haslam has been injured during World Superbike Championship testing at Phillip Island – just days before the start of the new season.

Dropping his BMW in the high-speed final left-hander, Haslam was thrown from his bike and was taken to hospital when he wasn't immediately able to stand up.

Subsequent x-rays reveal he has fractured a bone in his heel but Haslam has since gone on to suggest, via Twitter, that the injury could be more severe than initially feared, adding he may require surgery.

"Not a good day – big high-side at the last turn. Still in hospital waiting to see when they can operate. May need a screw in the tibia," he said.